Jackson County, SD Environment & Hazard Risk

• WildfireRelatively Low$385K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 389 years
• Ice stormRelatively Moderate$152K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 4 years
• Winter weatherRelatively Moderate$66.6K/yr expected annual loss, about 16 events a year
• Cold waveRelatively Low$572K/yr expected annual loss, about 5.6 events a year
• Strong windRelatively Low$242K/yr expected annual loss, about 2.8 events a year
• HailRelatively Low$82.4K/yr expected annual loss, about 3.4 events a year
• DroughtRelatively Low$15K/yr expected annual loss, about 52 events a year
• LandslideVery Low$174/yr expected annual loss, about once every 1 year
• LightningVery Low$37.9K/yr expected annual loss, about 37 events a year
• Heat waveVery Low$33.4K/yr expected annual loss, about 3.3 events a year
• EarthquakeVery Low$14.7K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 2,058 years
• TornadoVery Low$114K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 2 years

Bars show the national percentile score (0 to 100) for each hazard. Dollar figures are expected annual losses to buildings, people and crops. Not rated here: avalanche, coastal flooding, hurricane, riverine flooding, tsunami, volcanic activity.

Check the flood zone for an address

Homes in high-risk flood zones

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• Thunderstorm Wind361
• Hail276
• High Wind102
• Winter Storm54
• Winter Weather38
• Blizzard27
• Flood21
• Flash Flood10
• Heavy Snow9
• Extreme Cold/Wind Chill9

• Ice Storm03/06/2002

  Jackson

  2 deaths, 1 injured, $250K damage

  What happened

  Freezing drizzle produced a thin coating of ice over Interstate I-90 19 miles west of Kadoka in Jackson County. A Semitrailer pulling a car hauler lost control on the westbound side of the interstate. The driver was ejected and died as the truck slid into the median and overturned. A passenger in the sleeper area of the truck was injured. The car hauler separated from the cab and continued into the eastbound lane where it struck an oncoming semitrailer rig. This impact killed the driver of the eastbound truck, and seriously injured the passenger. Four vehicles came off the car hauler. One of these vehicles came to rest in the eastbound lane where it was struck by a third semitrailer, producing no injuries. A pickup truck rolled after sliding off the road while avoiding the accident scene, with no injuries to the driver. Light freezing drizzle was reported around the area starting after midnight and changed to snow about an hour after this accident.

• Blizzard03/23/2009

  Jackson

  $3M damage

  What happened

  A powerful spring storm brought rain, snow, and very strong winds to western South Dakota. Precipitation started as rain, then changed to snow, and blizzard conditions developed. The heaviest snow fell over the northern Black Hills, where 18 to 48 inches of snow was measured. Ten to 20 inches of snow fell across far northwestern South Dakota, with drifts as high as ten feet. Most other locations received at least six inches of snow. Sustained winds of 30 to 55 mph, with gusts over 80 mph, were reported. Interstate 90 and other highways were closed for more than 24 hours. Some power outages were reported, mainly across the northern Black Hills and northwestern South Dakota. Tens of thousands of livestock perished.

• Thunderstorm Wind06/10/2001

  Wanblee, Jackson County

  2 injured, $383K damage

  What happened

  A microburst from a thunderstorm produced damaging winds in Wanblee. Nine homes were destroyed. The roofs of seven homes were blown off with major damage to structural walls in other homes. Two persons were treated for injuries at a hospital. One injury (direct) occurred when a door hit a woman during the storm. The cause and extent of the injury to the other person is not known.

• TornadoEF2, 1.6 mi path, 630 yd wide06/29/2025

  Kadoka, Jackson County

  2 injured

  What happened

  The tornado touched down 100 yards west of the Highway 73 White|River Bridge. As the tornado moved to the southeast in the river|valley, the first residence that suffered significant damage was|just east of Highway 73, on County Road 29. This home suffered|partial exterior wall collapse, with most of the roof structure|gone. Additionally, mature Cottonwood trees were snapped at|this location. As the tornado continued to move east-southeast|down the river valley, it encountered house number 2, also on|County Road 29. Several outbuildings were destroyed at this|location, along with mature Cottonwood trees that were|snapped and partially debarked. The 3rd residence, located along|County Road 80, or Red Stone Rd, was a new manufactured home that|suffered complete destruction. Two individuals were in the home at|the time and suffered minor injuries. The home was strapped down,|with the straps anchored in concrete. It is estimated the house|rolled 3 times, with the house separating from the frame. The|frame became partially wrapped around the trunk of a fallen|Cottonwood tree. There were numerous mature Cottonwood trees|snapped and partially debarked, as well as uprooted, on...

• Thunderstorm Wind58 kt wind06/10/2001

  Cedar Pass, Jackson County

  1 injured

  What happened

  A person at the Badlands National Park Cedar Pass Campground was injured when a table broke and hit him in the head. Time of the wind was estimated from the RAWS observation.

• Blizzard11/06/2008

  Jackson

  $600K damage

  What happened

  An intense fall storm produced blizzard conditions across the South Dakota plains for over 24 hours. Precipitation started as rain during the day and changed to heavy, wet snow during the evening of the 5th. Snow and blowing snow continued through much of the 6th with visibility near zero much of the time. Snowfall amounts were six to 18 inches with drifts 12 feet high. More than two thousand power poles were downed, causing widespread power outages that affected thousands of residents. Some locations did not have power for over a week, especially across the Pine Ridge Reservation. Most roads across the area, including Interstate 90, were closed for 24 hours or longer. Many livestock died from hypothermia. Officials estimated total damage around 5 million dollars.

• KadokaServes 543 · Purchased surface water · Local governmentNo health violations